What is this?

Information about the serial protocol used by select Gicar-based espresso machines the Ascaso Baby T espresso machine
There's also a working python implementation, to read or adjust settings.

Why?

There's 2 ways to program this machine: by pressing a LOT of buttons, or by using the bluetooth interface and an app. The app would be really useful, if it actually worked as advertised. In my experience:

• the iOS app doesn't work at all.
• the android app kinda works. Clunky UI but gets the job done. I only have access to a frustratingly slow, old, android tablet though.
• for the app to work, you'd need to forget and re-pair the device every. single. time. This seems to be a bug or design flaw in the serial-to-bluetooth bridge adapter.

What have you found?

The manufacturer wasn't exaggerating when they claimed the Baby T uses "the same internals as the big boy professional machines"!
Control board is a Gicar 3d5 Maestro Deluxe Full Range "664" 3SSR, capable of driving 3 group heads, which is the same as in their flagship model (Big Dream).

This is where it gets interesting: The bluetooth daughter board (which is ESP32 based and actually capable of bluetooth + wifi) is just acting as a serial bridge. Commands sent and received through the app are 1:1 sent over serial to the main controller board.
Turns our, the protocol is pretty straightforward, too.

What does it mean?

You can read or write the settings of your machine with your laptop, just pair with the bluetooth adapter and run the commands.
Alternatively, connect directly to the serial port.
Fair warning; while this seems to work fine for me, your machine may explode. Proceed at your own risk. No warranties given, etc.

Can I help?

Yes, please! Feel free to submit PR's, fork the repo, etc.

Here's an incomplete list in no particular order of nice-to-haves:

• Confirm that other models or later makes of the baby T use the same board (or at least, same serial interface and protocol).
• Port to ESPHome... this would be awesome, if I ever find some time i may take a crack at it.
• Add proper support for the Ascaso Barista T and Ascaso Big Dream (both are 2-3 group head machines. Current python POC has hardcoded offsets for the Baby T).
• Add the other serial connection that has the shot timer data, etc. This protocol has been properly reverse engineered already; search for Lelit mods.
• Support for non-ascaso machines, there must be others that are compatible as the vast majority of espresso machines are Gicar based.
• Custom PCB would be pretty dope, i'd buy one.

Is this AI slop?

Yes. Yes it is. But it actually works, which is kinda mind blowing.